What may increase your risk for problems from a change in your heart rate or rhythm
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What may increase your risk for problems from a change in your heart rate or rhythm
Many conditions, lifestyle choices, medicines, and diseases interfere with your ability to heal or fight infection. You may be at risk for a more serious problem from your symptoms if you have any of the following. Be sure to tell your health professional.
Conditions
- Older than age 60
- A history of previous changes in your heart rate or rhythm
- A history of heart valve disease, including mitral valve prolapse (MVP)
- A history of heart disease, heart attack, or heart failure
- A history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- A history of heart surgery or angioplasty
- A history of an electrical shock
- Heart problems from birth (congenital)
- Placement of a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
- Poisoning or overdose
- Strong family history of heart disease or irregular rhythm (arrhythmias)
Lifestyle choices
- Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
- Drug abuse or withdrawal
- Smoking or other tobacco use
Medicines
- Blood-thinning medicines, such as warfarin, heparin, and aspirin
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
- Medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection
Diseases
- Cancer
- Chronic lung diseases, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Connective tissue disorders, such as lupus or scleroderma
- Diabetes
- Eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia
- Hemophilia
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
- Kidney disease
- Malnutrition
- Mental health problems, such as panic disorders, panic attacks, or depression
- Pheochromocytoma
- Thyroid disease
Credits
| Author | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Last Updated | April 27, 2007 |
| Last updated: | April 27, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Reviewed By: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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